Cocaine use during pregnancy can significantly harm a developing fetus. It can result in several risks, such as miscarriage, learning disabilities, or physical deformities. Regardless of the stage of pregnancy, using cocaine while pregnant can result in numerous terrible side effects.
If you or a loved one is misusing cocaine, Vertava Health’s cocaine addiction treatment can help.
The Harms of Cocaine Use During Pregnancy
Cocaine use during pregnancy is extremely harmful to women and fetuses. Due to the significant risk factors associated with cocaine use and pregnancy, it is strongly discouraged.
A pregnant woman using cocaine places herself at risk for premature birth and several other complications that may arise due to a lack of appropriate medical care during her pregnancy.
In addition to premature birth, once the baby is born, there are risks associated with learning disabilities, language development, behavioral issues, and heart defects.
Using cocaine while pregnant is dangerous and can result in several unwanted long-term health problems.
Effects Of Cocaine On Pregnant Women
Abusing cocaine while pregnant can result in cardiovascular, respiratory, and psychiatric problems. Some of the more specific health risks connected to cocaine use and pregnancy include the following:
- Malnutrition
- Premature birth
- Miscarriage (especially if cocaine use occurs in the first trimester)
- Migraines
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrhythmia or tachycardia
Cocaine use during pregnancy has been linked to poor prenatal care, preterm birth, and multiple pregnancies.
Delivery complications often occur in women who use cocaine during pregnancy. Regular cocaine use during pregnancy can result in placental abruption, the detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall.
Cocaine and Effects on Pregnancy
Specific problems can occur during pregnancy when the woman uses cocaine. Cocaine use can result in any of the following:
- Preeclampsia
- Placental infarction (blood flow to the placenta is interrupted)
- Placental abruption
- Fetal growth impaired
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Premature rupturing of membranes
Cocaine Effects on Fetus
Cocaine is a stimulant of the CNS, which plays a leading role in fetal development. Introducing drugs to the CNS system results in a significant number of health risks to both the mother and fetus. Some of these risks include:
- Meconium being passed into the amniotic fluid and into the lungs of the fetus
- Microcephaly – abnormally small head
- Structural and congenital abnormalities of gastrointestinal and renal systems
- Internal organ systems being stunted
- Neurodevelopmental delays
- Fetal death
- Stillbirth
Effects Of Cocaine Use During Pregnancy On Children
While some of the physical effects can be recognized in utero, many of the side effects are only noticeable after birth.
Some of the effects of cocaine in utero have the following long-term consequences:
- Cleft palate
- Low birth weight
- Limb defects
- Congenital heart disease
- Disruption of nervous system function
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral problems
- Impaired memory
- Language development problems
Infants of women who used cocaine while pregnant are at a higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The long-term side effects for the children of women who used cocaine while pregnant are permanent and avoidable.
Breastfeeding And Cocaine Use
Cocaine has been found in the breast milk of mothers using cocaine. Any cocaine that a breastfeeding mother ingests can end up in their infant. Cocaine in any amount is extremely dangerous to a baby.
Breast milk continues to test positive for cocaine long after it has been expelled in urine. This is an indication that breast milk must be expelled and not used as nutrients for an infant. Cocaine intoxication in infants can lead to seizures, racing heart, irritability, becoming inconsolable, and hyperventilation.
Treat Your Cocaine Addiction at Vertava Health
Women addicted to drugs, like cocaine, are a unique demographic. Often, facilities have available spaces for pregnant women who are in need of substance use treatment. Finding those facilities can feel overwhelming. Allow our professional staff to find a substance use program that can address your unique situation and help you make the best decision for yourself and your loved one. Contact Vertava Health today via our secure online form or call us at 844.470.0410.
